Hydrothermal growth of monodispersed rutile TiO2 nanorods and functional properties

Monodispersed rutile TiO2 nanorods have been synthesized by hydrothermal method. Citric acid is used as a capping agent to prevent agglomeration. Crystal structure, morphology and phase formation were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV), Raman spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD pattern revealed the formation of rutile phased TiO2. The prominent UV absorption was detected and the band gap was found to be 3.22 eV. Spectroscopic studies evidenced the presence of inorganic and organic compounds. FESEM and TEM images illustrated the formation of monodispersed TiO2 nanorods with 5–7 μm in length and of 20–30 nm in thickness.

► Template-free synthesis of monodispersed TiO2 nanorods by hydrothermal growth.
► Citric acid was effectively used as a surface passivating ligand.
► Excellent functional properties were obtained from TiO2 nanorods.